With the freeform diagramming (beta) functionality, you can drag and drop cloud infrastructure resources onto the canvas to create a customized diagram.
This feature is available for accounts with the Cloud Accelerator. Contact sales to purchase the Cloud Accelerator for your Enterprise account.
Freeform diagram introduction
You can create Lucidchart freeform diagrams with imported cloud infrastructure data. Freeform diagrams are manually designed. This means you decide exactly where each resource appears on the canvas, giving you precise control over the layout.
This is different from working with a cloud frame, which automatically generates the layout by applying rules to your imported data.
Automatic visualization
If you want automatic visualization rather than manual layout, there are two options after you’ve imported cloud infrastructure data from AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud into the Lucid Data Hub:
- Cloud frames: A cloud frame is an automated visualization of your cloud data. You can create multiple views within a cloud frame, each displaying your infrastructure from a different perspective. For more information, check out our Use cloud frames to visualize cloud infrastructure in Lucidchart article.
- Cloud Agent (AWS only): With the Cloud Agent, you can use Lucid AI to generate targeted AWS infrastructure diagrams directly inside Lucidchart. For more information, check out our Use Lucid AI’s Cloud Agent to build architecture diagrams in Lucidchart article.
Two ways to start a freeform diagram
There are two primary methods to initiate a new freeform diagramming document:
- From the Data Hub
- From a prompt with Cloud Agent (beta)
From the Data Hub
To create a Lucidchart freeform diagram with imported cloud data, follow these steps:
- Select Data hub from the bottom of the navigation menu on the left-hand side of the page.
- From the providers list, select: AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
- Click + Create new document at the top of the page.
- Select an existing data source.
- For AWS, select at least one account.
- For Azure, select at least one subscription.
- For Google Cloud, select at least one project.
- Click Choose [data source] in the bottom-right corner.
- “Data source” will be an account, subscription, or project depending on your provider.
- Under “document type”, select Freeform diagramming.
- Click Create document in the bottom-right corner.
From a prompt with Cloud Agent (beta)
Alternatively, you can leverage natural language prompts to configure your diagram with the Cloud Agent. This is available to Cloud Accelerator users with beta access. It is only available for AWS at this time.
Cloud Agent allows you to generate a fully editable, data-linked freeform diagram from your imported cloud data using natural language prompts, offering a quick and intuitive way to generate diagrams for your specific architectural needs.
Learn more: For more information and step-by-step instructions, check out our Use Lucid AI’s Cloud Agent to build architecture diagrams in Lucidchart article.
Customize a freeform diagram
Once you’ve created a freeform diagram from your cloud data, the customization options are highly flexible. Read on for instructions to access and manage your data.
Access the Cloud menu
Select the Cloud resources icon from the Primary Toolbar on the left side of the page to access imported data. Use the arrow icons to the left of a resource type to expand or close a list of resources. You can then drag and drop resources onto the canvas to manually diagram.
View resource metadata
From the contextual panel to the right of your diagram, you can view additional details on a selected cloud infrastructure shape, including data linking status, tags, configuration, and related resources.
Drag related resources onto the canvas
Click and drag an entry in the related resources section onto the canvas. Use this functionality to quickly create an accurate diagram after adding an initial resource to the canvas.
Automated vs. freeform
Whether you want a diagram that maps itself automatically or total creative freedom over your layout, your canvas handles cloud changes differently. Choose the approach that matches your workflow:
| Cloud event | Automated diagram | Freeform diagram |
| A resource configuration or tag updates | Updates instantly across the diagram. | Metadata refreshes automatically in the contextual panel. |
| A new resource is added to the cloud | Automatically appears and connects on the canvas. | Appears in the contextual panel. Add it manually from the Cloud menu when you need it. |
| A resource is deleted from the cloud | Automatically disappears from the canvas. | Shape stays on canvas but loses its data link so you can choose when to remove it. |
| Best used for... | Hands-off maintenance. Great for living documentation, and instant, accurate visibility. | Editorial design. Great for architecture reviews, presentations, and compliance audits. |
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